Abstract
Current labour market trends are fundamentally shaped by a structural shift in Generation Z’s attitudes toward employment, favouring flexibility and autonomy over traditional relationships. This paper examines the legal and regulatory aspects of student cooperative work in Hungary, a prime example of an atypical legal construct designed to reconcile market efficiency with the protection of vulnerable young workers. Utilising a methodological basis of legal-dogmatic and statistical analysis, the research explores the tension between the classic labour law framework and the flexibility inherent in student work.
The analysis details the unique triangular legal relationship among the student, the cooperative, and the service recipient, noting that while this model functionally mirrors temporary agency work, it is governed by civil-law membership rather than by traditional employment contracts. The paper highlights the significant impact of Hungarian policy interventions, such as the personal income tax exemption for those under 25, which provides a competitive financial advantage that often outweighs the deficit in legal protection. Furthermore, the study addresses academic critiques and potential conflicts with EU law, specifically the Temporary Agency Work Directive, regarding equal treatment and fundamental rights. Ultimately, it concludes that while the cooperative model facilitates successful school-to-work transitions, it requires a balanced regulatory approach to ensure that flexibility does not compromise long-term career stability and employee protections.